The non profit Allsongslist reg. began in 1984 and has more than one thousand songs, all the Elton John charts, all the set lists of the concerts since 1970, all the album tracks, etc. This is not an Official Elton John site and is intended for personal use and entertainment only, and share time with eltonites. In 2017 due to Elton's 70th BDay, the 50 years of partnership between Elton and Bernie and the 33 years of AllSongsList all will be revealed

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12 Dec 2014

16. Terry Bangley My next guest of the list is someone very special. Some eltonites I found out there surprising me with something I couldn't expect. That's one of the cases. He surprised me sending his list but with videos created of the songs, so you could enjoy reading while listening. That's a very good idea. So I just publish this as he sent. He reunited the songs on dropbox, in case you were interested in the list. So, welcome Terry, this is your list, thanks for joining us on the celebration.Hello everybody, i was asked if i could come up with 30 of my favorite elton songs for the 30th anniversary of Allsongslist reg,, well as many know it is hard to come up with just 30, but I picked 30 of the ones that for some reason or the other really got to me, may it be a love song, or rocker, or just a song that seemed a bit different,, i believe the "newest" song on my list is healing hands,, sure some later songs are good, i want love, this train , the one, ect, but to me they just aren't elton enough for me, if that makes sense,, anyway big fan since the first time I heard "levon" on the radio.. seen him in concert 15 times, the first was in 1980 just 2 weeks after the central park concert,, saw him and billy 3 times the 2nd show they did together in philly, then 12 days later in Washington dc then the following year in Clemson sc.. anyhow, my top 30 is a bit different, I made a little video for each song, so there will be 30 uploads, just to rehash old memories i guess, some songs I will talk about others i will just upload.. so on with the show.30. Heartache All Over The Worldno titles, just numbers, be more surprised that way, ha.. anyway this is the only song that has charlie morgan on drums(on this list), imo he is the best drummer Elton has had, i just love his style, don't get me wrong, Nigel in his younger days was one of the best there ever was, but charlie is more into rocking than Nigel ever was, Nigel is more into ballads than he is rock songs.. so here is number 30https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM5YKvFWFg429. Lady Samathaalmost forgot one,,, also one of the earlier songs.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6No5pkg12U28. PinkyFrom caribou, which i believe has the most songs on my list.. pretty little song..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__Tt39TzOK027. Kiss The BrideIf you saw the 84 wembley concert, elton had a good time doing this song, only heard live one time myself, of course he didnt do all the jumping up as he did at wembley, but its a rocking live numberhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAPNtPiYN-k26. Cold As ChristmasWell i didnt want to put up live versions of songs, but youtube says this one is banned worldwide, so i put up a live version and it went thru(go friggin figure) so here it is only reason im even putting it up live is because i reall y love this song , its from 2v40https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcULoaojpuw25. Tell Me When The Whistle BlowsI love this song from captain fantastic, most of my friends never liked it, but i like it.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTGNbsG6gMA

4 Dec 2014

Sometimes I found eltonites that surprised me! Some of them, more younger than you, old Rabbit, makes in their short period of life more than you with your large one. Our next guest is one of them. Are you looking for knowledge about Elton John? Ask him. Are you looking for items related to Elton? See his. Are you looking for some enthusiastic fans with more concerts on their shoulders than you? He's one of them. And when we chat, not very often as we would, you see he's a fantastic person. Finally, don't forget, he is also a good songwriter, with his own songs, with his talent. I truly suggest you take a listen of what he's been loading, gonna see I am right. Check out on Soundcloud. Kris, welcome to the site. This is your turn. Thanks.

Hello, I'm Kristophar from Scotland. Only
being 24 years old, my journey has just started along the Yellow Brick Road
with just over 10 years under my belt. Selecting 30 of my favorite songs is
tricky and I can't list them all as numbers. As a result I will number my top 5 in order then categorize the
remaining songs.

"Good music doesn't tell you how to feel. It takes how you feel and
enhances it."
- This is the case with my 30 favorite songs.

#1 - Original Sin.
This was always going to be on top of my list. It holds a special meaning in my
heart as I remember lying for an hour listening to this on repeat with someone
I love for the first time. They say certain songs can transport you to a time
and place no matter how long ago. This one does it for me.

#2 - Home Again.
For me, one of the best songs ever written in popular music. Lyrically and
Musically it is one of my favorite songs of all time.

#3 - Recover Your Soul.
I listened to this song so much during times of darkness in the past couple of
years. This is an example of a song that doesn't tell me how to feel. It enhances
how I feel and helped me through some bad things.

#4 - Runaway Train.
As soon as that guitar starts, and the beat kicks in - I can't sit still. It's
really hard to explain why I love this song. I just do. Always gets me moving,
singing and playing air guitar!

#5 - The One.
This is the perfect example of the perfect love song and Elton did a great job
here with Bernie's lyrics. How the song starts out gentle and pretty, then
slowly building into the chorus and getting more emotional as the lyrics tell
the story. The piano solo at the end is one of my favorites he has ever done.

Ballads
Your Song, I've Been Loving You, Harmony, I Guess That's Why They Call It The
Blues,
I Can't Stay Alone Tonight, Blues For Baby And Me, Sacrifice, Turn The Lights Out
When You Leave, Steal Away Child, Tactics.

29 Nov 2014

14. Vera Rio"Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans" (John Lennon). This statement is one of the favourites quotes by Vera. She's brazilian, one of the brazilian references in eltonites' world. Maybe because brazilians have those beaches, as she says they could enjoy the sand, walk in the sand, ... live the life on its own. Vera is special. Someone who has the birthday on a 25th march, like Elton. Her first album she bought was, "Empty Sky". She starts collecting records from the beginning, you see! When she thinks about Elton John, the first thing it comes to her mind "is a "feeling", no one material though... simply..."heart pounding"". That's Vera. Your turn Vera:My complete inability to list 30 songs of Elton and try to explain why each one is important to me .... I thought I could to do it but it was impossible to me ... all have special meanings but all in a jumble of emotions ... some were love at first sight (or better ... at first hearing!), others were present at special times in my life (happy or sad), others remind me of important people to me (starting with Skyline Pigeon who was a favorite of my mother), others by being true masterpieces (in my opinion) ... anyway, I can say that all are important to me for all these reasons that I described. This is my list, without order, from the 30 most beautiful and important to me.

25 Nov 2014

"Singles, album, vinyls, CD’s, promos,
bootlegs, tour programs, books, covers, music sheets, … I have the same single
from 10, 20, 30 different countries …" explained me in 2008 when I interviewed him related to the Eltonite's Day. That man is amazing. You could check out his website, that's one of bests fansites in my opinion, http://www.eltonjohnitaly.com/. Even in 1993, he produced a fanzine "Madman" for and dedicated to the heartfelt collectors, until 1996. He's a reference in Italy about Elton. When I was in Milan in 2004 due to the presenting of the "Peachtree Road" album, every one I met was talking about Beppe, so I had to meet Beppe, and the meeting was not disappointing, on the contrary. Beppe, if you made your reviews in english instead of (and also, of course) in italian, you could get the recognition you deserve.This is your turn.

Well, Elton is my life for about 40 years! And not only my musical life ... Year after year his music has marked my life, everyday. Through Elton I've met a lot of people, I've travelled to a lot of countries, I went crazy for collecting records! Since the summer of long long time ago, when I heard Rocket Man for the first time. After that summer, nothing would ever be the same again.

30) Holiday
Inn From Madman, a fresh sound, an
unusual Elton in a track marked by Caleb at the guitar and Davey (!) at the
mandolin. Elton at the top of his
inspiration could make even immortal a song about a hotels chain.

29) Emperor's
New Clothes The comeback with a
great album, SFTWC, after years of mediocrity, and Emperor is an excellent
track that reminds me the early golden era (1969/71), before the pop
transition. A basic production by Pat
Leonard, with a great piano playing in front of you, a pleasant shock at my
first listening.

28) The
Ballad Of Danny Bailey A classic
from GYBR, the Elton storyteller that I like. A great percussive piano that I like very much.

27) Better
Off Dead Such a “cabaret” song from
Captain Fantastic, powerful, it always reminds me of the solo piano shows Elton did with Ray
Cooper, a great song.

26) It
Ain't Gonna Be Easy An unusual
track from A Single Man, a great guitar player as Tim Renwick can duet with the
piano at the same level. An underrated
song from an underrated album. Gary Osborne is not Bernie Taupin, but this is a
great song.

25) Bennie
And The Jets A great live song,
always singing “Bennie, Bennie, Bennie, Bennie And The Jets!” at the
concerts. Maybe not his best track, but
it's the “pop” Elton that I like, it's really involving with the piano solos.

24) Where
To Now St. Peter From the “old
West” album, a little masterpiece. He unfortunately cannot write such a piece, this is an unrepeatable Elton’s production from every point of view. We have always the duo Buckmaster/Dudgeon at their top levels.

23) Tiny
Dancer A classic in the discography
of Elton. Too much live versions bored a little the audience, but the original
with great musicians becomes everlasting. A song not to be discussed, we can only appreciate it.

23) Harmony A wonderful song filled with vocal mixtures
already in the legend created by Dudgeon for 70’s albums. Unknown to the non-fans, it’s actually a classic of
his production unfortunately it seems that Elton had forgot it.

22) This
Song Has No Title A fresh
underrated song from GYBR, really nice. One more example about underrated songs by fans themselves, but perfect in their simplicity and
inspiration, it’s the pop period, but at highest level.

21) Mona
Lisas And Mad Hatters. An amazing
tune about NY City from Honky Chateau in the middle of the passage towards pop
of "Don’t Shoot Me" album. Perfect and unique in that genre, a little anomalous in his standard production, with mandolins.

20) Believe Top
20! It’s in my opinion one of the best
track of Elton, after the golden years (60's/70's). It
expresses a dramatic power and a quality that has no comparison in his
production in those years, it’s the gem of 90’s. Paul Buckmaster dislikes this production, but
I like it very much!

19) All
The Girls Love Alice Elton
rocks! My favourite rock song,
fascinating, essential, with, for once, a good guitar riff by Johnstone, it’s
certainly one of the best rock pieces in the whole Elton’s production, it’s
fantastic live too.

18) Seasons
A tune from Friends couldn’t be missing, considered a minor album, but
containing some little gems, and Seasons is one of them, always under Buckmaster’s
sign.

17) First
Episode at Hienton Perfectly
inserted in “Elton John” album, melancholy atmosphere. It is one
more example of how magisterially was Bernie’s cryptic lyrics set to music, simply
delicious.

16) Rocket
Man Long time ago, in the
summer of 1973, I discovered the music and Elton John with this song, I can
remember when Rocket Man came out from an old radio in my summer house. It was
a lightning struck! And It will be
always in my heart ...

15) The
Greatest Discovery A simple,
touching track from The Elton John album, a so simple theme of a little brother birth, performed in a perfect way with top
inspiration.

14) We
All Fall In Love Sometimes/Curtains
The end of the concept album Captain Fantastic, a memorable ending
medley, the band at his best, with incredible backing vocals and a memorable
drumming by Nigel. Simply perfect (p.s. This ending is very similar at the
ending of the Desperado album by The Eagles, 1973)

13) Take
Me To Pilot It is already a classic, also in live repertory, even if it
denaturalizes in comparison to the original one, that remains an example of what the real Elton could do. Incomprehensible lyrics, but a wonderful song from an era that was musically wonderful, not only for Elton.

12) Someone
Saved My Life Tonight . Once again from Capitan Fantastic, a piece that
moves me everytime, with the band at their best, fabulous vocal mixtures and a great
inspiration. From this album Elton John Band actually emerges as ensemble.

11) Your
Song It's the trademarck of 40
years of stardom, this song is THE SONG, it's Elton John, there's no Elton
without Your Song. It's not the song of
my life but it's a great universal song in the history of pop/rock music.

10) Goodbye The Top Ten! The last track of Madman
Across The Water, metaphorically it's a goodbye to the early Elton John, from
now it will be the starting as a pop icon too. The track is beautiful is his simplicity,
it's a touching on my heart every time. A Masterpiece!

9) Have
Mercy On The Criminal A dramatic
track from the "Don't Shoot Me" album, very powerful, I like it very much. In there I
find the atmospheres of previous albums with Buckmaster’s arrangements, but this time in a pop key more manifested. Elton and Bernie still
at top.

8) Funeral
For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding. An
instrumental performance nearly perfect, not showing its age at all, it could be written yesterday, it always sounds fresh
and modern. Love Lies Bleeding doesn’t compare but assimilate very well and already
is one that remains in my heart.

7) Sixty
Years On This song has a very
heavy production in the album Elton John, but it's a masterpiece from Elton
and Bernie, incredible mix of music and lyrics. And Sixty always remember me the powerful
sound of the trio (Elton, Nigel and Dee) in the fantastic 17-11-70 live album,
a terrific version.

6) Madman
Across The Water. The title track still sounds so powerful, dramatic and cryptic. As if it
would be written today. I have no words, in my mind, it’s simply a masterpiece.

5) Levon.
Once again from Madman, one more
classic at high level, probably the more cryptic lyrics could excite to the best Elton when he was writing; the album production
then gave a touch of perfection and immortality.

4) Ticking Another very basic song, Elton, his piano
and David Henschel on synth. A
drammatic story, a relentless piano playing in the waiting of a tragic end;
It's not the Elton of the first era, the sound is more artificial, but the
piano playing is incredible, I love it!

3) Talking Old Soldiers From Tumbleweed, Elton and piano at his
best, I love this song, too. Bernie's
lyrics are so touching and piano and voice are only all we need, nothing else. No match. The best track of Elton and a solo
piano, a masterpiece.

2) My
father's Gun Another great song
from a terrific album "Tumbleweed Connection". The imagine of the old West, with a very elaborated production by
Buckmaster and Dudgeon, Elton seems really an American songwriter in this
project. Paul Buckmaster did a fantastic
job on this track, unbelievable.

1) Indian
Sunset And now, the n° 1! A masterpiece from my favourite all time
album A fantastic mix: beautiful song,
beautiful lyrics, Paul Buckmaster at his best with orchestral production, Gus
Dudgeon as the boss, great musicians, the gem from Madman Across The
Water. For me, the ultimate song from
the real, true Elton before the changing towards a popstar stardom. Every time
this track moves me to tears.Beppe's Eltonite's Day in 2008:http://eltonjohnallsongslist.blogspot.com.es/2008/06/eltonites-day-from-italy-one-and-only.html

17 Nov 2014

Have you had imagined to be in one of those parties Elton and David does as a benefit event? In Woodside for example? Still dreaming? Well, our next guest made it. She flew from Australia to England to fulfill one of her dreams, among others obviously. At the event, Elton sang "Your Song", "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" and "Tiny Dancer", as Nicole explained later. And the Aussie eltonite was there. Before this, her enthusiasm for Elton is well-known: "I worship at the altar of Elton!" reads one of her sentences. She's unique. So we had to ask her about her own list of favourites. And the response is unique. Let's get there!Hello my name is Nicole
from Sydney, Australia. I was asked to name my top 30 Elton songs... Which I
found incredibly hard to do!! How to condense 35 years of my complete love
and adoration into 30 songs??!! Instead I thought it easier to think of
favourite songs as my moods take me... Here they are in no
particular order xxxx

10 Nov 2014

Patty Perrin, or the soul of eltonjohnmexico. This very versatile woman is a superlative artist: on TV shows, as reporter in "Para niños y similares" -"For Kids and similars"-, as an actress in "Rencor Apasionado" - "Passionate resentment", as a presenter in "Laberinto de Sorpresas" - "Labyrinth of Surprises"; collaborating in radio shows as epigrammist "La Mujer Actual" - "Modern's Woman"; press (Periodico Novedades and Revista Tele-Guia); cinema and theatre. Actress of stage, screen and television, this multi-talented eltonite is also well-known for her role in "La dama de Negro" - "The Lady In Black" (www.ladamadenegro.com), a 20 years on the road successful piece of theatre, she has been playing since the start. She also taught for several years in theater workshops and Composition at ITESM-CEM. It was my debt to invite her, the one who gave me my first eltonite experience in her website writing about Elton. More than this, her knowledge about the artist made the whole thing. Patty, this is your turn, thanks a buch for being here.

Really difficult to choose only 30 Elton John songs by a fan and even harder to put them in a fair order. But I suppose this is something close to the idea of my personal experience of the journey between my personal life and his music. I have to confess a lot of them had been chosen because of my memories. That doesn't mean the other songs are not great, not at all, but I had to do my best in this hard decision. So... Here we go (beginning with number 30 and finishing with number one... my own favorite...

# 30 YOUR SONG. His very best classic must have been in this special list. Never missing in his concerts and because of that, always in our memories of every show I had been (and surely you had been). We all feel this is our song..

# 29 A STEP TOO FAR. As my profesional carreer (actrees and writer) I clearly understand how hard is to write a score. This "Aida" theme has a lovely melody, great chorus and wonderful lyrics. Everytime I listen to it, I like it more and more.

#28 BELIEVE. Elton's voice sounds incredible in this rendition. Deep lyrics and strong music makes this song one of my favorites.

#27 FRIENDS. An old song that always sounds new. Incredible that in so very few minutes you can take that melody in your head all day. And the message of the lyrics is amazing. A clear example when the music transcend more than the own film.

#26 WITHOUT QUESTION. Yes, without question I really LOVE this song. I liked the movie very much and I really believe that this soundtrack is much better than most people think. One of the most beautiful melodies Elton has ever composed in my opinión.

#25 RECOVER YOUR SOUL. It's so hard when you have so great lyrics to make justice with your music... But Elton did it again! Unforgettable song when things go bad. Has the power to make you feel up. Great companion when you are down. Love it!

#24 DANIEL. I have heard this song thousands of times and it always move me. Original and wonderful lyrics and a perfect melody. Yes, just PERFECT!

#23 SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT. Deep, emotional, powerful... All in one. This is a masterpiece. Unbelievable!

#22 RELIGION. I have to confess I'm not a religion person, that is why I feel so agree with these lyrics. I really think a religion person is the one who helps others, not the ones who live inside churches or temples. It's a very deep song but with very "light" music. That combination is why I really love this particular song.

#21 CIRCLE OF LIFE. In my particular opinion, this must be the Oscar winner song. The Lion King is superb, and this song the best of the best! Who didn't cry hearing it and felt chills in the skin with the introduction of this movie? I surely did... That is why it has to be in my personal list.

#20 THE NORTH. I'm sure this song is only known for the strong fans. It's not "a hit" but it's wonderful! Elton's voice sounds so beautiful, the solo piano in the music bridge is so powerful... Really moves me...

#19 CLUB AT THE END OF THE STREET. Since the first time I heard to this song I couldn't stop dancing and I turned it on time after time. So contagious, so high!... Yes, it had to appear in this list!

#18 LEVON. A wonderful story in his lyrics and Elton's rendition is unbeatable. Superb! I never get tired listening to it. Never!

#17 SOCIAL DISEASE. Yes I know maybe no one expected this song in my list, but I can't help it! I like EVERYTHING in this song, even the dog barking! Funny, great music... How can I say? It makes me happy!

#16 TONIGHT. Oh my God! This song!... When a song can make feel someone (me, in this case) what I feel everytime I hear it, has to be a GREAT song! So deep lyrics, music and rendition! Standing Ovation!

#15 I THINK I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF. With this title and lyrics, it had to be absolutely a very "serious melody"... Yes, that's in theory... But this is Elton John, so come on!... He uses so funny music even with a tap session... The result? AMAZING... I have to accept I LOVE THIS SONG!

#14 CRY TO HEAVEN. Elton's voice is so strong... But this rendition is "something else"... I mean... There's NO CHANCE to ANYONE to sing this song better than Elton ever!!!! And have you noticed the lyrics? What a song!... ANNOYING...

#13 SORRY SEEMS TO BE THE HARDEST WORD. This song is completely PERFECT... EVEN the instrumental bridge can make you turn to emotional tears... Only Elton could be able to take us to that musical paradise. I just couldn't believe that anybody would not love this song...

#12 LITLE JEANNIE. Elton's music has been by my side a lot of years of my life. When I went to high- school, this song went out. That whole year I woke up hearing to it. I love "Little Jeannie" because it is a LOVELY song in all ways and also has the power to translate me to those happy years.

#11 WE ALL FALL IN LOVE SOMETIMES. Wise men say... I have to mention this song in this list, LOL... One of my biggest favorites! It makes you cry and laugh at the same time! I discovered this song can change our mood and the way to think about love depending of what we are living. I swear it! A magical song in all the concept! Just incredible!

#10 SKYLINE PIGEON. I just can't believe Bernie and Elton had written this song being so young! The lyrics and melody are so mature! So perfect!... Yes, this song proves they are both genious!... This song always moves me, doesn't matter if I was young or not...

#9 TINY DANCER. I like this song because a lot of aspects. First of all, is dedicated to the "seamstress of the band" (Maxine, Feibelman, first Bernie's wife) and besides of the love he felt, it's a different way to talk about a relationship. Besides that, Elton made one of his greatest melodies and sings this song with so much passion that you can bet he was the man in love. One of the best musical colaborations between them in my opinion, and we, the listeners are the winners!

#8 LIVE LIKE HORSES. Sing besides Pavarotti was surely not easy... At least you are Elton John!. I really prefer his own versión to be honest. The first time I heard this song I was in shock... And everytime I do it... I'm in shock!... Everytime I think Elton can't do something better, he surprises me. And this song is the prove!... I fell to tears everytime!...

#7 HARMONY. Yes, Harmony and me a pretty good company! This song is a happy company to everybody who listen to it. Moves you and takes you to a nice mood. That's the power of music... Of Elton's music!...

#6 BLESSED. I really feel blessed to be able to hear to this song. Original and moving lyrics... Amazing to dedicate a song to an unborn baby and the music, Elton's voice, instrumental part and chorus makes this song a goodess creation (created by two genious mortals)...

#5 LUCY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS. Yes, wait a minute. I perfectly know this is a Lennon song... But this song is in my list because, I'm also a Beatles fan and this cover was the song that made me know Elton John as a musician. The first time I listened to it I was visiting my cousin Javier Zavala and I was shocked. I remember I asked him who had the courage to record a Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds cover and mostly, who was able to do it SO WELL... Then he answered: That's Elton John, this is the record... Then, I discovered a photo of a lovely man with silver shoes and a white hat... Since that moment, I became his huge fan... Now, is it clear why I have to mention this song in this list at number five?...

#4 DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART. This duet with Kiki Dee is one of my vitamins when I feel down. It has the power to make me happy everytime I listen to it. I would never be tired to dance and sing when it is in the air. Funny, nice... Just incredible.

#3 GOODBYE YELLOW BRICK ROAD. Political lyrics, unforgettable melody. It just can't be more perfect! One of the most emotional song ever written. Not only one of my Elton's favorites, one of my ever listened songs favorites!

#2 DON'T LET THE SUN GO DOWN ON ME. If someone ever doubt about the singer ability of Elton John has to listen to this song. I have heard a lot of great covers but ANYBODY can perform it better than him. Powerful voice and music, desperate lyrics which turn to poetry. Simply one of the most perfect songs in the world!

#1 THE ONE. Yes this is the one and number one for me. Why? Lots of reasons. The first one is that is a song which lyrics makes everybody desire to be dedicated by their love one... Second, the music. This is one of the most beautiful melodies Elton has ever composed! The instrumental part is so emotional... And if this is not enough, the first time I was able to see Elton live, was exactly with The One tour at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. One of the most emotional moments in my whole life was when Elton sang that song and his piano was raised in the instrumental part. I felt my heart going out of my chest and my tears running through my cheeks. Yes, everytime I listen to this song or remember that moment, I come to tears... Yes...just like now...

Thank you Miquel for the opportunity of sharing this list with all Elton fans all over the world... And, of course, thank you Elton for your music!...

25 Oct 2014

10. John KwokHello Eltonites, welcome to the last season of AllSongsList, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the list, with new guests. Having studied clarinet and piano in his youth, the opener is someone who has been a fan of Elton's music ever since he heard "Rocket Man" for the first time on the radio and learned the words to "Crocodile Rock" in his junior high school music class back in the fall of 1972. In high school, he remembers hearing "Island Girl" blasting out of the radio of one of his classmates in their drafting class. His name is John Kwok, a former paleobiologist and a member of the National Center for Science Education (http://www.ncse.com). He's currently working on the keyboard as a freelance writer and book doctor. He's written an unpublished near future alternate history post-cyberpunk science fiction novel set in the USA and Ireland; an excerpt was published here:http://www.trickhouse.org/vol15/door_09_charlesalexander/charlesalexander.html(A book publicist once told him he was writing William Gibson meets the McCourts.). He intends to write a near future cyberpunk science fiction novel devoted to his life-long love of paleobiology and the music of a certain well known British pop and rock and roll musician. (Think William Gibson meets Gary Shteyngart meets Captain Fantastic.). When I was asked by Miquel Sala to produce a Top
Thirty list of Elton John/Bernie Taupin songs, I knew this would be a
difficult, almost impossible, task given the extensive breadth and depth of
their back catalogue; a catalogue which demonstrates why they should be viewed
as the finest songwriting team of the latter half of the 20th
Century, and perhaps, the early 21st Century too. The songs I have
chosen, in the order ranked, tend to emphasize more their relatively recent
songwriting, from the late 1980s to the present, simply because of the
sophisticated artistry demonstrated by both in their melodies and lyrics. For
these reasons I have presented a list of what I view as their forty one best
songs, and one which omits some obvious choices and lesser known ones.

Finally, these from 2001 to the present were
also considered; “Dark Diamond”, “Birds”, “Ballad Of The Boy In Red Shoes”,
”Mansfield”, “Answer in the Sky”, “Turn the Lights Out When You Leave”, “All
That I’m Allowed”, “And The House Fell
Down”, “The Bridge”, “Blues Never Fade Away”, “I Must Have Lost It On The
Wind”, “Old 67”, “The Captain And The
Kid”, “Jimmie Rodgers’ Dream”, “Mandalay Again”, and “My Quicksand”.

If I had included songs Elton wrote with other
lyricists, these co-written with lyricist Gary Osborne, “Little Jeannie” and
“Blue Eyes”, would rank high on my Top Thirty list, at 15 and 5 respectively.
So too would those Elton co-wrote with lyricist Tim Rice, with “Circle of Life”
at 10, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” at 5, and “Written in the Stars” at 4,
alongside one of Elton’s best from the 1980s.
I haven’t included Elton’s hit cover versions of The Beatles’ “Lucy in
the Sky with Diamonds” and The Who’s “Pinball Wizard” because he didn’t compose
their melodies.

Honorable
Mentions:

Of the songs I considered, these came close to
making the Top Thirty List; “Sixty Years On”, “Burn Down The Mission”, “Madman
Across the Water”, “Honky Cat”, “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding”,
“Harmony”, “Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy”, “Cage the Songbird”,
“Tonight”, “One More Arrow”, “Burning Buildings”, “In Neon”, “Cry to Heaven”,
“Paris”, “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters (Part Two)”, “A Word in Spanish”, “Healing
Hands”, “Amazes Me”, “Blue Avenue”, “Runaway Train”, “On Dark Street”,
“Blessed”, “Ballad Of The Boy In Red Shoes”, “Answer in the Sky”, “All That I’m
Allowed”, “The Bridge”, “Old 67”, and “The Captain And The Kid”.

John’s
Top Thirty list:

30 Hey
Ahab/Home Again/5th Avenue

“Hey Ahab” (“The Union”) reminds us that Elton
John and Bernie Taupin are still capable of writing a hard rock song after all
these years, this time evoking Captain Ahab,
the psychologically and physically scarred protagonist of Herman
Melville’s “Moby-Dick”, in a spirited, gospel and soul-influenced, tune still
popular with audiences. “Home Again” (“The Diving Board”) is another instant
Elton John/Bernie Taupin classic that has been described as hymn-like by New
York Times critic Jon Pareles in his review of the December 3, 2013 Madison
Square Garden concert, in a performance featuring the entire Elton John Band
and “The Union” backup singers. However, musically and lyrically, a much better
song may be “5th Avenue”, their best New York City-themed song since
“Empty Garden”, and one also worthy of comparison with “Mona Lisas and Mad
Hatters”, that was inexplicably left off the official album release of “The
Diving Board” and included only in some of the special editions. It’s
especially memorable for the self-reflective poignancy of Bernie’s lyrics, with
a superb chorus that may remind others of the chorus in “Burning Buildings”.

29
American Triangle/The Wasteland/When Love Is Dying

“American Triangle” (“Songs from the West
Coast”) is an especially moving tribute to Matthew Shepard, the University of
Wyoming undergraduate who was senselessly murdered simply for his
homosexuality; the recorded version includes memorable backup vocals from
Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Also from the same album, “The
Wasteland” is Elton and Bernie’s blues and soul-tinged hard-rocking tribute to
legendary American Blues pioneer Robert Johnson, whose music would – and still
does – influence many noted contemporary musicians in blues, soul, gospel and
rock. “When Love is Dying” (“The Union”) may be Elton and Bernie’s best
love-lost ballad in years, at least since “Sacrifice”, if not before, with the
studio version benefitting greatly from Brian Wilson’s choir-like vocal
arrangement.

28 Oscar
Wilde Gets Out

With a memorable minor key melody from Elton and
especially compelling lyrics from Bernie chronicling the tragic fall of Irish
writer Oscar Wilde during the final decades of his life, “Oscar Wilde Gets Out”
is the best song of theirs on the latest album, “The Diving Board”. Without a
doubt, the most compelling renditions of it are those performed live with Davey
Johnstone on banjo, Matt Bissonette on bass, Kim Bullard on keyboards, Nigel
Olsson on drums and John Mahon on percussion, accompanied by 2 Cellos who also
performed on its original studio recording. I believe this song, as well as
“Home Again”, should have been featured on the USA leg of the recent “The
Diving Board” tour.

27 Gone
to Shiloh

Some of Bernie Taupin’s finest lyrics have dealt
with his life-long love affair with Americana and American history, and his
lyrics for “Gone to Shiloh” (“The Union”) are no exception, especially since
they remain amongst his most thoughtful reflections on the American Civil War
itself. It’s a compelling saga about a young Union soldier from the bitterly
contested state of Tennessee leaving his younger siblings – or maybe, his
children - and the family farm, bound for an epic battle between the Union and
Confederate armies at Shiloh, Tennessee. The song ends on a downbeat note, with
a dire warning to the South if Union General William Tecumseh Sherman opts to
wage total war – which he did – against it.

26
Nikita/Tinderbox

Only Elton could transform this hit song from
the “Ice on Fire” album, “Nikita”, about a young male Soviet Russian soldier
into an ode of unrequited love about a young female Soviet Russian guard
patrolling the Berlin Wall’s “Checkpoint Charlie” that should be viewed as one
of the finest ballads ever written by him and Bernie; one which I wish Elton
would perform live more often here in the United States. “Tinderbox” (“The
Captain And The Kid”) refers to the relatively brief period when Elton and
Bernie opted to go their separate ways, with memorable background vocals from
Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, Bob Birch and John Mahon quite reminiscent of
the almost angelic vocal harmonizing from Davey, Nigel and Dee Murray on the
classic 70s and early 80s albums.

25 I’m
Still Standing/I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That

These are two of Elton and Bernie’s best hard
rock anthems of self-affirmation, with Elton singing why he is still on top in
“I’m Still Standing” (“Too Low for Zero”), which remains a fan favorite during
his concerts. The phenomenally popular – at least here in the United States,
but now rarely performed – “I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That” (“Reg
Strikes Back”) was Elton’s highest-charting USA single in the 1980s, with Elton
bidding a most fond adieu to his soon-to-be ex-lover.

24 Bitch
is Back/Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting

These hard rockers, “Bitch is Back” (“Caribou”)
and “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” (“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”), are
easily still among the most familiar songs from Elton and Bernie for both
long-time fans and those barely acquainted with their impressive body of work.
Tina Turner has covered frequently “Bitch is Back” in her live performances,
providing her own unique gospel and soul-infused hard-rocking spin to this
song. “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” is quite simply, their hardest
rocking song, period.

23
Crocodile Rock/Bennie and the Jets

Others
might rank “Crocodile Rock” (“Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player”) and
“Bennie and the Jets” (“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”) much higher on their Elton
John Top Thirty Song list and I would have too if I had excluded great songs
ranging from “Sacrifice” in the late 1980s to the recently released “Home
Again”. Yet these are still sentimental favorites of mine, even while
recognizing that musically and lyrically, both Elton and Bernie have made major
artistic leaps since writing them back in the early 1970s. “Crocodile Rock”
truly takes us back “…when rock was young”, capturing the innocent sweetness of
1950s American rock and roll. “Bennie and
the Jets” remains Elton and Bernie’s great funky glam rock anthem, unexpectedly
becoming a hit song on African-American rhythm and blues radio stations before
it became a hit played frequently on American AM and FM rock and pop radio
stations.

22 Tiny
Dancer

One of the greatest love songs written by Elton
and Bernie, with Bernie writing poignantly about his first wife, the
“seamstress for the band”, still sounds as fresh and as vibrant in concert as
it did when it debuted on the “Madman Across the Water” album and was performed
live by the original trio consisting of Elton, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson. In
recent performances, Kim Bullard on synthesizers and 2 Cellos on electric
cellos perform Paul Buckmaster’s superb arrangement for string orchestra that
is heard prominently on the original studio recording.

21
Levon/Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters

Yet another memorable song from the “Madman
Across the Water” album, “Levon” remains a perennial favorite with audiences
during Elton John Band concert performances. (On a more personal note, this may
be the third Elton John/Bernie Taupin song – after “Rocket Man” and “Crocodile
Rock” – that I fell instantly in love with and memorized the lyrics too, still
recalling a Brooklyn, NY YMCA day camp counselor who sang an acoustic version
of it on his guitar back one summer in the early 1970s.) Much to his credit, Bernie Taupin has
excelled for years in crafting song lyrics that are genuine short stories in miniature,
and this is one of the finest early examples of him recounting the saga of that
“good man”, and proud war veteran, Levon.
The original studio recording features one of Paul Buckmaster’s great
orchestral arrangements, which are being performed now in concert via Kim
Bullard’s keyboard programming and 2 Cellos’ memorable playing on their
electric cellos. “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” (“Honky Chateau”) is Elton and
Bernie’s finest ode to New York City, and one made memorable by the virtuoso
playing by Dee Murray on bass and Davey Johnstone on mandolin in the original
studio recording. Much to my surprise, this was replicated again with Matt
Bissonette on bass, and especially, Davey Johnstone on mandolin, yielding one
of the most memorable musical highlights I heard during the December 4, 2013
Madison Square Garden concert.

20
Someone Saved My Life Tonight

One of the most gut-wrenching rock ballads ever
written by Elton and Bernie, this song may be the best from “Captain Fantastic
And The Brown Dirt Cowboy”, not least because it features prominently, Nigel
Olsson’s unique style of melodic drumming, and Bernie’s emotionally compelling
lyrics recalling the moment when Elton contemplated suicide before breaking off
a relationship with a woman he thought he’d marry. This great song is still quite compelling to
hear performed live in concert by the entire Elton John Band, especially now
with Nigel Olsson emphasizing his superb melodic drumming, in performances
reminiscent of the original studio recording. Surprisingly, this wasn’t a
favorite of mine when I heard it played repeatedly on my local radio stations
back in the summer of 1975; I’ve long since grown to love it as one worthy of
recognition as among the finest ever written by Elton and Bernie.

19
Philadelphia Freedom

Originally written as a musical tribute to
Elton’s friend, the great professional tennis player Billie Jean King and her
tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms, it is also a magnificent soul and rock
tribute to the “Philly Sound” that emerged out of Philadelphia in the late 1960s
and early 1970s and the only hit single from Elton John and Bernie Taupin that
was released only as a single, not as a track on one of their early to mid
1970s albums. Having heard this recently live in concert and watching videos
from other recent concerts, I can say that Elton is singing it better than ever
– at least since his mid 1980s vocal surgery – accompanied by exceptional
musicianship from Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson and the rest of the band.

18 I
Want Love / This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore

Elton John is channeling John Lennon in “I Want
Love” the smash hit song from the “Songs from the West Coast” album, in a
musical style that pays ample homage to Lennon’s post-Beatles songwriting. I
think this will be remembered as the first great 21st Century Elton
John/Bernie Taupin song, having heard a riveting acoustic version of it during
an Elton John/Bernie Taupin tribute concert at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium
several years ago; the concert itself was noteworthy just for Phoebe Snow’s rendition
of “Empty Garden”. The final song on the “Songs from the West Coast” album,
“This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore”, is his and Bernie’s most poignant
post-“Captain Fantastic” autobiographical ballad, with Elton viewing his career
as an older train that was once “the main express”; it remains, along with
“Original Sin”, as one of my two favorite songs from this album, featuring an
exceptional orchestral arrangement from Paul Buckmaster, who composed all of
the album’s arrangements.

17 Your
Song

There’s an almost timeless quality to Elton’s
music and Bernie’s heart-felt, poignant lyrics for this early song of theirs
which debuted on the “Elton John” album. It certainly remains one of their
great love songs, and one which is sung forcefully with more conviction by
Elton now in concert than I have heard on either the original studio recording
or in concert performances from the 1970s and early 1980s.

16 Sorry
Seems to be the Hardest Word

One of the most compellingly poignant ballads
from Elton and Bernie, “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word” (“Blue Moves”) also
has a timeless quality to it, not least because it has been covered by singers
as diverse as Frank Sinatra and Joe Cocker; each having made this song their
own, giving their own distinctive musical signatures.

15 Don’t
Let the Sun Go Down On Me

Quite possibly the greatest ballad ever written
by Elton and Bernie from their classic 70s period, this quintessential song
became a chart-topping hit for Elton and
then, many years later, in the great duo version with him and George Michael.
The original studio version (“Caribou”) features great backup vocals from Toni
Tennille and several others associated with the Beach Boys.

14 Sad
Songs (Say So Much)

“Sad Songs (Say So Much)” remains one of the
great Elton John/Bernie Taupin soul-infused rock ballads, and one especially
memorable in its original studio version (“Breaking Hearts”) courtesy of great
harmonizing from Davey Johnstone, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson.

13 The
Last Song

A hauntingly beautiful ballad from Elton and
Bernie (“The One”) that recounts a father’s grief over the imminent loss of his
son dying from AIDS; it is their most notable song pertaining to HIV/AIDS. It
may be the best song from the 1990s to the present emphasizing Elton’s singing
as he plays the piano, virtually unaccompanied, and one that is musically and
lyrically much better than almost all of the songs included in the various
versions of the new “The Diving Board” album. I am surprised Elton isn’t
playing this song much lately, either in concert with the Elton John Band or in
his solo performances.

12 Empty
Garden

This poignant, heart-felt, tribute to the late
John Lennon from the “Jump Up” album, demonstrates not only a genuine return to
form of the Elton John/Bernie Taupin songwriting partnership by 1981, but
also greater sophistication in their
melodies and lyrics than what they wrote during their classic 1970s period. I
think this will be another great song of theirs that will be covered by singers
for generations; indeed I heard a great, rousing rendition of it from Phoebe
Snow at an Elton John/Bernie Taupin tribute concert held at Carnegie Hall’s
Stern auditorium several years ago.

11
Original Sin

Elton didn’t exaggerate when he said that this
was the best song he had written during the “Songs from the West Coast” tour.
It may be the best love song that he’s written with Bernie since “The One”.
With its exquisitely beautiful melody and sophisticated lyrics referencing
Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, I am surprised he hasn’t performed this much
as part of his typical set list with the Elton John Band.

10 Live
Like Horses

This great rock anthem about personal freedom is
one best heard in the live performances that Elton did with the great Italian
tenor Luciano Pavarotti; it is one of the two great ballads on the sadly
underrated “The Big Picture” album. However, it may have been more
over-produced by Chris Thomas during its original studio recording. Still, even
on that recording, one hears Elton’s impassioned singing, as memorable in its
own right as those during the concert performances with Pavarotti. This is a
great song which Elton should perform frequently on both his band and solo
tours.

9
Something About the Way You Look Tonight

The B-side to the “Candle in the Wind 1997”
single, “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” is the other great ballad
from “The Big Picture”, a country-western-flavored love song sung by Elton to
the beautiful woman he has seen, acknowledging his emotional salvation in
finding her, the love of his life.

8
Believe

A rousing anthem in celebration of the power of
love, “Believe” remains one of the greatest songs ever written by Elton John
and Bernie Taupin, and one made especially memorable courtesy of a great string
orchestral arrangement from none other
than Paul Buckmaster, who resumed a long-overdue musical collaboration with
Elton on the “Made in England” album. In recent concert performances, Kim
Bullard on synthesizers and 2 Cellos have performed Buckmaster’s superb
arrangement.

7
Sacrifice

From the “Sleeping with the Past” album, Elton
and Bernie wrote a late 1980s version of “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word”
that is musically and lyrically, far more nuanced and elaborate than their
earlier love-lost ballad. It may be their most poignant musical portrait of a
love affair, and especially, a marriage, in ruins. It is yet another song of
theirs that should be viewed as a timeless classic, worthy of being covered by
other singers as notable as Frank Sinatra and Joe Cocker.

6
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

The title song from the “Goodbye Yellow Brick
Road” album has a great chorus for the audience to join in, as Elton has
announced during recent concert performances of it. This may be their most
memorable, image-laden, “kiss off” song, evoking not only the “Wizard of Oz”,
but an idealized, bucolic view of rural America as imagined by the much younger
Elton and Bernie. During her latest tour, the young American singer-songwriter
Sara Bareilles – who has been compared favorably with the likes of Billy Joel,
Tori Amos and Regina Spektor and whom I regard as a much better songwriter than
Lady Gaga – has sung “Goodbye Yellow
Brick Road”, offering listeners a truly compelling, original twist to it, which
bodes well for its future as yet another timeless classic from the Elton
John/Bernie Taupin songwriting team.

5
Candle in the Wind

This memorable ballad in memory of Marilyn
Monroe from the “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” album has the unique distinction of
being a major hit three times during the first three decades of its existence.
However, the last occasion, in 1997, occurred when Bernie opted to revise the
lyrics to pay tribute instead to recently deceased British Princess Diana,
which Elton performed at her state funeral held In London, recording it as a
single hours later under the supervision of legendary producer George Martin.
Without question, “Candle in the Wind” remains a timeless classic from the
John/Taupin songwriting and one that is still performed in concert, using the
original lyrics paying homage to Marilyn Monroe.

4 I
Guess Why They Call It The Blues

Many might regard this as the best song Elton
co-wrote with Bernie and Davey Johnstone, and they may be right. Instead I
think of it as the best song from the “Too Low for Zero” album. It’s a terrific
bluesy rock anthem of a love song in which Elton now plays up its blues
inflections in both his singing and piano playing during his live performances.
The original studio recording features a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder and
great vocal harmonizing from Davey, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson.

3
Daniel

Quite possibly their greatest folk rock ballad,
“Daniel” (“Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player”) is frequently cited as
the best song ever written by the John/Taupin songwriting team. It’s a
reasonable assessment, not least because it contains a great Elton John melody
and excellent Bernie Taupin lyrics that are yet again, a most memorable short
story rendered as poetry. Taupin’s lyrics are hauntingly beautiful and
ambiguous, if only because Elton had crossed out the final verse explaining who
Daniel really was, since he thought the song might be too long if he had
retained it. The original studio
recording features great acoustic bass and guitar playing from Dee Murray and
Davey Johnstone and melodic drumming from Nigel Olsson, which is echoed now, in
recent live performances, by Matt Bissonette on bass and John Mahon on
percussion, as well as by Davey and Nigel.

2
Rocket Man

This is the finest folk rock ballad I’ve ever
heard about manned spaceflight and the loneliness of space experienced by an
astronaut “burning up his fuse up there alone”. Bernie Taupin’s lyrics are
poignantly more realistic than David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” lyrics, coupled to
an especially memorable Elton John melody that evokes not only the loneliness,
but even boredom, experienced by astronauts during the Apollo lunar landing
missions, that is still relevant for those serving today aboard the
International Space Station. Having heard the original studio recording from
the “Honky Chateau” album played at an Apple Store in New
York, NY, I was struck immediately by the song’s excellent production values
courtesy of Gus Dudgeon and his sound engineers, yielding a recording that
still sounds as fresh and as vibrant today as it was when it was recorded at
Strawberry Studios back in the early 1970s; a
recording that sounds vastly superior to any made by T Bone Burnett and
his engineers for the recording sessions of both “The Union” and “The Diving
Board”. On the “Two Rooms” tribute album, Kate Bush sang a reggae-inflected
version that earned in 2007, The Observer readers’ award for best Cover of all
time.

1 The
One

The finest ballad about finding one’s greatest
love ever written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, which was the title song
from one of their best recent albums. It is especially memorable for an almost
solemn-like piano introduction, a great melody and an incredible metaphor-rich
set of lyrics, that describes how a man – any man – might stumble upon “The
One”, the love of his life. The studio recording features drumming from sound
engineer – and drummer – Olle Romo – that is uncannily Nigel Olsson-like in its
melodic drumming. It’s no surprise that I look forward to hearing the song
performed live with the entire band, even if “The One” still remains a
compelling ballad performed only by Elton himself, which he did most recently
during the American leg of “The Diving Board” tour. Along with “The Last Song”, “Believe”, “Live Like
Horses”, and “Something About the Way You Look Tonight”, “The One” was one of
the greatest songs written by the John/Taupin songwriting team in the 1990s
and, I believe, will be regarded by many as the finest song of theirs for
generations to come.